Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Environmental health, OHS and environmental management professionals are required to plan/conduct/oversee/evaluate risk assessments as part of their work. It is becoming increasingly important for organisations to undertake risk assessments to meet compliance obligations and to work towards longer term sustainability goals. This Unit explores a range of risk assessment methods available for the assessment of occupational safety, occupational health and environmental health risks.

Aims

This unit aims to introduce you to the range of methods that may be used to assess risks and to develop your knowledge of these methods so that you can apply a range of risk assessment techniques in professional practice.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Apply environmental health, OHS and environmental risk assessment methods
2. Evaluate sources of hazard and risk information on the likelihood and consequences of exposure
3. Compare and contrast the strengths and limitations of risk assessment methods
4. Plan and implement effective risk management risk management strategies.

Content

Topics covered in this unit include: risk assessment frameworks, environmental health risk assessment (issues identification, hazard identification, dose-response assessment, toxicology, exposure assessment, risk characterisation); occupational health risk assessment, and process safety risk assessment (e.g. HAZOP, FMEA, Fault Tree Analysis, and Event Trees). In addition, risk management strategies and approaches will be examined, especially the role of effective risk communication and consultation.

Students will gain a working knowledge of a range of risk assessment methods. The unit will include techniques for the selection of appropriate risk assessment methods and qualitative and quantitative risk assessments in a range of contexts.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit will be available in internal and external mode. Learning and teaching methods will include regular contact through lectures, seminars and Blackboard Collaborate. Self-directed learning will be supported by self-study modules.

Blackboard will be used extensively to provide: unit information, details on assessment items, access to lecture notes, links to relevant documents and websites, on-line exercises, and a means of communicating notices to students. For external students the lecture sound recording will be available on Blackboard.

Feedback will be provided to students on written assignments and there will be regular discussion sessions held on Blackboard Collaborate. Teaching staff will generally be available to answer questions and assist students achieve their learning outcomes. The assignments are based on case studies and real world scenarios.

Assessment

General Assessment Information

There are two assessment items to be completed during the semester. The case study will be the key piece of assessment to assess your knowledge of risk characterisation, risk management, and your capacity to apply a risk assessment.Assessment will be spaced throughout the semester to provide the opportunity for feedback on your learning to that point. You will be provided with feedback on assessments as you progress through the unit.

Assessment name: Report
Description: You will be required to complete a written report on two risk assessment case studies.
Relates to objectives: 1 & 2
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 8

Assessment name: Case Study
Description: You will be required to undertake a risk assessment.
Relates to objectives: 1-4
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 12

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

There is no prescribed text for this unit. All students will need to access the enHealth Council 2004, Environmental Health Risk Assessment: Guidelines for Assessing Human Health Risks from Environmental Hazards, Department of Health and Ageing, Canberra.
Travel and accommodation costs may be incurred by external students who attend the intensive one day on-campus workshop.

Risk assessment statement

Substantial computer-based work will be required. You should refer to the guidelines for safe work at VDUs contained in the SPH&SW Guidelines for Students. You should ensure that your workstations are adjusted in accordance with these guidelines and that regular rest breaks are taken.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 15-Feb-2013